Dubai’s souks and markets offer a treasure chest of diamonds and other precious gemstones sourced from the rich lands of India and Africa. However, the Emirate is most known for its gold; sold not only as jewellery, but also in ingots, bars and kilos. Indeed, the proliferation of this precious metal has earned Dubai the moniker ‘City of Gold’.

From international brands in elegant malls, to hole-in-the-wall traders, there are many different ways to buy jewellery in Dubai. Here, we look at some of the best places to find your perfect piece.

The Deira Gold Souk is at the heart of Dubai’s gold trade. This traditional market in Old Dubai holds crowded showcases in which refined designs are presented in white, rose, yellow or green gold, from bangles to necklaces. With over 400 shops offering a huge range of arrangements of Arabic and Indian-styled pieces, you might be even a little overwhelmed.

One of the more popular retailers is Joyalukkas, a company of Indian origin that has been hailed as the ‘world’s favourite jeweller’. Stocked with a dragon’s horde of jewellery, high-quality designs range from chic contemporary to classical.

Authenticity is assured as the stores and traders within the gold souk are regulated by the government so you can rest assured you’re buying a genuine piece. However, it’s still good practice to check the shop is registered and to track the price of gold on the day of your purchase. Haggling is also common, so be prepared to wrestle with the quoted price after your selection has been weighed.